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Category: News This Week

  • Bangladesh Professionals Pushing Parliament for Tobacco Control

    Bangladesh Professionals Pushing Parliament for Tobacco Control

    Leaders of several professional and business organizations in Bangladesh are urging the government to pass the Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 into law during the first session of the 13th National Parliament, arguing that formal legislative approval is critical for effective enforcement. The call was made during a public health meeting in Dhaka organized by Dhaka Ahsania Mission, where speakers described the ordinance as a major step toward reducing tobacco-related illnesses and deaths. Officials emphasized that continued political support from the next elected government will be key to advancing the measure.

    Citing Tobacco Atlas 2025 data, speakers said more than 21.3 million Bangladeshi adults use tobacco, and government representatives said Bangladesh generates about Tk40,000 crore ($3.6 billion) annually in tobacco revenue, but related costs surrounding healthcare, productivity losses, and premature deaths exceed Tk87,000 crore ($7.9 billion) each year.

  • FDA to Host Discussion on PMTAs Feb. 10

    FDA to Host Discussion on PMTAs Feb. 10

    FDA issued a reminder today regarding the Federal Register notice (FRN) roundtable discussion it is hosting tomorrow (February 10) for small tobacco product manufacturers (fewer than 350 employees). The discussion aims to solicit input on premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) submissions for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products and will be held from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. ET.

    The topics to be discussed will include certain components of ENDS PMTAs, such as product characterization, manufacturing controls, pharmacological profile (e.g., pharmacokinetic studies), studies of adult benefit (e.g., longitudinal cohort/randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies), and toxicological profile (e.g., estimated lifetime cancer risk).

    FDA has also established a docket for public comment on this roundtable discussion. All electronic comments must be submitted on or before March 12. The regulations.gov electronic filing system will accept comments until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time at the end of March 12.

  • CAPHRA Urges Review of FCTC Following U.S. WHO Exit

    CAPHRA Urges Review of FCTC Following U.S. WHO Exit

    The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) is calling on governments across the region to reassess the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) following the United States’ withdrawal from the WHO and criticism of the agency from New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. CAPHRA argues that while the FCTC formally recognizes harm reduction under Article 1(d), current policy implementation has not consistently supported reduced-risk alternatives such as vaping and nicotine pouches.

    CAPHRA representatives say restrictions on safer nicotine products risk slowing smoking decline and expanding illicit markets. The group pointed to New Zealand’s smoking rate, which has fallen to 6.8%, as evidence that regulated harm reduction strategies can accelerate public health gains. CAPHRA is also urging greater transparency in FCTC Conference of the Parties proceedings and broader engagement with independent scientists and consumer groups, arguing that future tobacco control policy should be measured by reductions in smoking prevalence and disease outcomes rather than product bans.

  • Universal Appoints Diel as CFO

    Universal Appoints Diel as CFO

    Universal Corporation appointed Steven S. Diel as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective April 1, succeeding Johan C. Kroner, who will remain with the company as a senior vice president through July 1, to support the transition. Diel, a Universal executive since 2018, brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, corporate development, and strategy, most recently serving as vice president and CFO of Universal Ingredients, and previously leading acquisitions totaling more than $350 million that helped establish the company’s ingredients segment. Chairman, president, and CEO Preston D. Wigner said Diel’s promotion reflects confidence in his financial leadership and strategic execution as Universal seeks to strengthen performance and drive long-term shareholder value.

  • Anti-Tobacco Group Alarmed that PMI, BAT Spending $40M on F1 Sponsorships

    Anti-Tobacco Group Alarmed that PMI, BAT Spending $40M on F1 Sponsorships

    Anti-tobacco advocacy group STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products) is increasing scrutiny of nicotine brand marketing in Formula 1, arguing that partnerships between teams and companies linked to tobacco firms risk exposing younger audiences to nicotine products. The watchdog group claims the growing presence of products such as nicotine pouches and other smoke-free alternatives in motorsport sponsorship represents a regulatory gap that allows continued brand visibility despite historic restrictions on tobacco advertising.

    STOP highlighted recent sponsorship activity believed to be a combined $40 million by Philip Morris’ Zyn nicotine pouch products on Ferrari race teams and BAT’s Velo brand appearing in F1 team partnerships. Jorge Alday, director of STOP at Vital Strategies, said the organization is concerned given Formula 1’s expanding and increasingly youthful global fanbase. The group is urging regulators and sports governing bodies to consider tighter oversight of nicotine product marketing in international sporting events, while industry stakeholders maintain that such products fall within existing legal frameworks governing reduced-risk or non-combustible nicotine alternatives.

  • Brother of Israel’s Security Chief Accused of Smuggling Cigarettes

    Brother of Israel’s Security Chief Accused of Smuggling Cigarettes

    Last week’s indictment against Bezalel Zini, brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini—the head of Israel’s security agency—has cast a spotlight on a sprawling tobacco smuggling network supplying the Gaza Strip, a trade that authorities say has expanded sharply during the past two years of war. Yigal Wynne, CEO of the Federation for Intellectual Property, said attempts to smuggle cigarettes into Israel and onward to Gaza have surged, driven by a sharp increase in truck traffic entering the enclave. Dozens of trucks carrying cigarettes, loose tobacco, hookah tobacco, and e-cigarettes are estimated to reach Gaza each month, often routed through the West Bank or the Palestinian Authority, where goods are stored and organized before being smuggled onward.

    Wynne said the economics of the trade make it highly attractive to criminal and terrorist groups, noting that a single 40-foot container of cigarettes that costs smugglers $100,000 can be worth up to $10 million once sold in Gaza. Cigarettes sourced from Egypt or manufactured in the West Bank—particularly brands such as Capital and Imperial—are sold at price markups of as much as 80%, generating large cash revenues with relatively low legal risk compared with drugs or weapons. While current attention is focused on Gaza, Wynne warned that Israel’s domestic tobacco black market remains substantial, accounting for an estimated 20% of cigarette sales, underscoring broader challenges around illicit trade and enforcement.

  • Universal Posts Nine-Month, Q3 Results

    Universal Posts Nine-Month, Q3 Results

    Universal Corporation reported “solid results” for the nine months and third quarter ended December 31, 2025, supported by continued strength in its tobacco operations despite softer overall volumes and headwinds in its ingredients business. Nine-month revenue declined 2% to $2.2 billion, and operating income fell 3% to $183 million, reflecting lower tobacco sales volumes and higher fixed costs, although customer demand for most tobacco styles remained firm and third-party processing volumes increased. Third-quarter revenue dropped 8% to $861 million, with operating income down 21% to $82 million, driven by reduced tobacco shipments and inventory write-downs, while the ingredients segment faced tariff pressures, weaker consumer-packaged-goods demand, and higher depreciation costs. The company also strengthened liquidity through a refinancing and expansion of its revolving credit facility and highlighted sustainability progress, including a significant increase in renewable electricity use and continued farmer engagement across its global supply chain.

  • Dutch Looking to Raise Nicotine Age to 21

    Dutch Looking to Raise Nicotine Age to 21

    The Netherlands plans to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing nicotine products, including cigarettes and vapes, from 18 to 21 under a new coalition agreement between D66, VVD and CDA parties, reflecting growing concern over youth nicotine use, Euractiv reported. The proposal follows a 2025 government study showing 10% of Dutch 12-year-olds have tried vaping and nearly 40% of users aged 12–16 report addiction. The move aligns with a broader European trend, with Latvia already raising the age to 20, Ireland planning to increase the minimum to 21 by 2028 through its “smoke-free generation” strategy, and Finland considering similar changes as part of its 2030 nicotine-free target. Industry groups have criticized the Dutch proposal, arguing it restricts legal adults’ choices and could increase illicit trade and cross-border purchases, while public health advocates support the measure as part of efforts to reduce youth nicotine uptake.

  • Mombasa Traders Fighting Proposed Tobacco Law

    Mombasa Traders Fighting Proposed Tobacco Law

    Retail and hospitality traders in Mombasa are pushing back against Kenya’s Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024, warning the proposed reforms could accelerate illicit trade and undermine legitimate businesses. Speaking at a press briefing, business owners cited Kenya Revenue Authority estimates suggesting more than 50% of excisable goods in the market are already illicit or non-compliant, including cigarettes and other regulated products. Traders argue the bill, sponsored by Senator Catherine Mumma, risks worsening the situation by introducing additional restrictions such as a proposed ban on flavored nicotine products, including vapes and nicotine pouches.

    Industry representatives said while protecting minors is important, further product restrictions could drive consumers toward unregulated markets, eroding tax revenue and threatening licensed operators. Coast Bar Owners Association Chairman Patrick Kabundu warned that removing legal product options could create supply gaps quickly filled by black market suppliers, while traders urged lawmakers to focus on enforcing existing laws, including Kenya’s ban on tobacco sales to individuals under 18, rather than introducing new regulatory measures they say could harm businesses and government revenue.

  • BAT Closure Leading S. Africa to ‘Warehouse Economy’

    BAT Closure Leading S. Africa to ‘Warehouse Economy’

    The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) warned that South Africa is sliding toward a “warehouse economy” following British American Tobacco’s decision to shut its Heidelberg manufacturing plant and shift to imports. SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said the closure would cost around 200 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly, arguing it reflects a broader pattern of deindustrialization as multinational companies scale back local production.

    SAFTU urged Parliament to halt the Tobacco Control Bill in its current form, warning it could further weaken legal tobacco manufacturers while strengthening illicit trade, which Vavi said already accounts for roughly 75% of cigarette sales. BAT cited rampant illegal cigarettes as a key factor behind the closure, noting that illicit trade has weighed on its South African operations and financial performance. SAFTU is calling for a full socioeconomic impact assessment of the bill, while BAT has pushed for stronger enforcement and a minimum retail price to curb illegal sales.